Siffin Arbitration: The Peace Agreement, Return to Kufah and Rise of the Khawârij

Making out the Documentation and the Return

Amr bin Al-Âs (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) requested Ali (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) to allow him to take down the document. Ali (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) had him to write down the following:

"This declaration between Ali (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) bin Abu Tâlib and Mu’âwiyah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) bin Abu Sufyân declares that Ali (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) bin Abu Tâlib has appointed an arbitrator on behalf of the people of Kufah and all those supporting him and, similarly, Mu’âwiyah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) bin Sufyân has appointed an arbitrator on behalf of all who follow him. We, holding the Book of Allâh the Almighty and His Order as judge, declare that both of us will follow nothing but the injunctions of Allâh and His Book. We abide by the rules of the Qur'ân from Al-Hamd to Al-Nâs and declare to follow what is permitted and hold back from what is forbidden. The two appointed arbitrators are Abu Musa Abdullah bin Qais Ash’ari (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) and Amr bin Al-Âs (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ). They will give a decision according to the dictates of the Qur'ân otherwise in accordance with the Sunnah if the Qur'ân is found silent over the issue."

Following this, the arbitrators Abu Musa Ash’ari (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) and Amr bin Al-Âs (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) were asked to declare that they would decide the matter according to the Book of Allâh and Sunnah of the Messenger of Allâh and would not allow the Muslim Ummah to become the victim of war, disruption and disunity. Afterwards, the arbitrators were given a period of six months to examine the case and give their judgment at that time at Adhruh near Daumat Al-Jandal located between Kufah and Damascus. It was also decided that Abu Musa Ash’ari (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) while coming from Kufah, would have with him four hundred men sent by Ali (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) and Amr bin Al-Âs (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ), coming from Damascus, also would have an equal number from Mu’âwiyah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ). Those eight hundred men will act as representatives of the Muslims as a whole.

Following this, both Ali (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) and Mu’âwiyah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) asked their men to declare on oath that they would not target the lives and properties of the mediators, which was signed by Ash'ath bin Qais, Saad bin Qais Hamadâni, Warqa bin Sumayi Al-Bajali, Abdullah bin Fahl Al-Ijli, Hujr bin Adi Kindi, Abdullah bin At-Tufail Al-Âmiri, Uqbah bin Ziyâd Hadrami, Yazid bin Tajhafah Tamimi, Mâlik bin Ka'b Hamadâni on behalf of Ali (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) as witnesses and guarantors while Abul-A'war, Habib bin Maslamah, Zamil bin Amr Al-Udhri, Hamza bin Mâlik Hamadâni, Abdur-Rahmân bin Khâlid Makhzumi, Subai' bin Yazid Ansâri, Utbah bin Abu Sufyân, Yazid bin Al-Hur Absi put their signatures for Mu’âwiyah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) 's side.

On being finalized, one copy of the declaration was given each to Abu Musa Ash’ari (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) and Amr bin Al-Âs (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ). Mâlik Ashtar refused to sign the document. Four days elapsed in giving the declaration a final shape and it was handed over to the arbitrators on Safar 13. Following this, the two armies moved back towards Kufah and Damascus respectively. Mu’âwiyah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) reached Damascus safe and sound but Ali (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) had to face a new trouble.

Trouble caused by the Khawârij

When Ali (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) decided to leave the battlefield of Siffin on Safar 13, 37 AH, some people approached him and asked him to attack the Syrian army instead of going back to Kufah. "How can I commit a breach of promise after writing the declaration? We have now to wait until the month of Ramadân without even thinking of war after attaining peace," Ali (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) firmly said. Although they went away, they started seeking support of the people against Ali (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) and attempted to form separate groups. Ali (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) left Kufah but a clash of opinions dominated the atmosphere throughout. Even though Ali (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) worked hard to pacify the situation, it was in vain, for a section was engaged in fanning the fire of discord. The united front of Ali's army was now divided into scores of groups creating dissension and giving rise to chaos and disorder. And from a war of words they had come down to hitting and thrashing each other.

Of all the groups, two were strong, one completely opposing Ali (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) and another one eulogizing him beyond all limits in response and in competition with the other group. Thus, the first group came to be called the Khawârij and the second one was the Shiite. It is quite interesting that the Khawârij group was formed under the leadership of those who had forced Ali (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) to call Mâlik Ashtar back threatening him with the consequences of Uthmân (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ). Although Ali (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) repeatedly reminded them of their past activities in forcing him to stop fighting and bring peace to the people, but they paid no attention to his claim. At last, twelve thousand men separated themselves from Ali's army and moved towards Haraura'.

It was the group of the Khawârij. It settled in Haraura' and set Abdullah bin Al-Kawa the Imam of the prayers and Shabath bin Rib'i the commander. Shabath bin Rib'i was the same person whom Ali (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) had twice sent to Mu'âwiyah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) as the member of the peace commission and on both occasions his provocative words worsened the possibility for a peaceful solution and the talks ended in failure. After establishing their administration in Haraura', the insurgents now declared: "Bai'ah is meant for Allâh the Almighty Alone. It is our duty to enjoin the good on people of the land and forbid the evil. There is no caliph or ruler in Islam. After gaining victory, all matters must be settled by mutual consultation of the Muslims and their majority should decide all issues. Both Ali and Mu'âwiyah are at fault."

When Ali (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) came to know of the uprisings of the Khawârij, he observed utmost patience. On reaching Kufah, Ali (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) consoled the relatives of those who had laid down their lives in Siffin and declared those killed as martyred. He then sent Abdullah bin Abbâs (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) to the Khawârij to pacify them and put them on the right path. But they were contentious on all issues and rejected the pleas of Abdullah bin Abbâs (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ).

In the meantime Ali (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) himself went there. He first visited the camp of Yazid bin Qais because he had more influence on them. He first offered two Rak'at Salât (prayer) and then appointed Yazid bin Qais the governor of Isfahan and Rey. He then came to the assembly where Abdullah bin Abbâs (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) was carrying on arguments with them and said, "Who among you is most wise and the leader of the group?" They replied, "Abdullah bin Al-Kawa." Ali (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) then said turning to Abdullah, 'You people had pledged your allegiance to me, then what is the reason behind your turning away after taking Bai'ah?" He replied, "It is because of your undue immovability."

Ali (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) said, "By Allâh! I was not in favor of stopping the battle. But you people forced me to do so. Nevertheless, I have let both the arbitrators decide the issue according to the dictates of the Qur'ân. Thus if they give a verdict according to the Qur'ân, there is no harm in accepting this; if it is against the Qur'ân, I shall reject it outright." Having heard this, the Khawârij said, "Mu'âwiyah revolted and committed the crime of killing the Muslims and so the appointment of arbitrators in this matter is not justified. According to clear injunctions of the Qur'ân he is liable to be killed." Ali (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) said, "I have not appointed anybody as arbitrator; the real arbitrator is the Qur'ân by all means and the men are appointed merely to give judgment according to the Book." The Khawârij then said, "What was the need of allotting six-months for the job?" Ali (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) replied, "Maybe the dissenting voices among the Muslims will subside by then." The Khawârij then kept silent. Ali (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) then asked them politely and affectionately, "Come let us go to Kufah and stay there during these six months, your mounts and beasts of burden will grow fat and strong enough to resume fighting against the enemy." Hearing this, they agreed and entered Basrah along with Ali (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) and began to await the decision of the arbitrators. Ali (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) then sent Abdullah bin Abbâs (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) to Basrah to perform his job as governor.